JPH05260398A - Electronic still camera and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce number of control wires for recording an object in the electronic camera. CONSTITUTION:The exposure, sweepout of smear charge and read of signal charge are decided in advance within a prescribed period after production of a trigger signal TRG. When a recording switch 58 is depressed, the trigger signal TRG is outputted from a timing control section 55. Because of the production of the trigger signal TRG, the exposure, sweepout of smear charge and read of signal charge are automatically implemented after a prescribed period. Since each processing is not independently controlled, number of control wires is reduced.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic still camera that captures an image of a subject using a solid-state electronic image pickup device and a control method thereof.

[0002]

BACKGROUND ART A solid-state electronic image pickup device such as a CCD is used in an electronic still camera or the like because it has a feature that it is small. However, a fake signal such as smear is output from the solid-state electronic image pickup device, and the magnitude of the dark current may be different due to different field read times, which may cause flicker. If it is used, it is necessary to prevent the output of false signals and perform shooting processing that matches the dark currents for each field.

The conventional image pickup processing for sweeping out smear charges and adjusting the magnitude of dark current has been separately controlled by the image pickup processing section included in the electronic still camera. Therefore, there is a problem that the number of control lines in addition to the recording control lines increases in the electronic still camera. This has to be solved especially for electronic still cameras with a separated camera head.

[0004]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to reduce the number of control lines for recording an object in an electronic still camera that images an object using a solid-state electronic image pickup device.

The electronic still camera of the first invention is a solid-state electronic image pickup device for picking up an image of a subject, a first time from a predetermined reference time point after a shooting command to the start of exposure, and a solid-state electronic image pickup from the reference time point. A second time period until the start of the erasing process of the false signal generated in the apparatus, and a third time period from the reference time point until the start of reading out the signal charges accumulated in the solid-state electronic image pickup device by photographing are set in advance. , A false signal erasing means for erasing a false signal, a driving means for driving the solid-state electronic image pickup device, a shooting command means for giving a shooting command, and a reference for responding to a shooting command given to the shooting command means. The exposure of the solid-state electronic imaging device is started when the first time has elapsed from the time point, and by the false signal erasing means when the second time has elapsed. Control means for controlling the signal charge reading process to be started by using the driving means when the signal erasing process is started and the third time has elapsed, and a subject obtained by the signal charge reading process. A recording means for recording a video signal representing an image on a recording medium is provided.

The present invention also provides a method of controlling the electronic still camera.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the operator of the electronic still camera gives a photographing command, the exposure, the erasing of the false signal, and the reading of the signal charge are performed after a certain period of time, and the data is recorded on the recording medium. It When a shooting command is given, exposure, false signal erasing processing, and signal charges are automatically read out after a fixed period of time to record a subject image. Therefore, the number of control lines for recording can be reduced.

The electronic still camera of the second invention is a solid-state electronic image pickup device in which a large number of photoelectric conversion elements are arranged in the row direction and the column direction, from a predetermined reference time after a recording command to the start of photographing for recording. A first time, a second time from the reference time point to the start of erasing processing of a false signal generated in the solid-state electronic image pickup device, and a signal charge accumulated in the solid-state electronic image pickup device by recording for recording from the reference time point. A time setting means for presetting a third time until the start of reading, a false signal erasing means for erasing a false signal, a driving means for driving the solid-state electronic image pickup device, a recording command means for giving a recording command, When the recording command is not given to the recording command means, the signal accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element obtained by photographing the object using the solid-state electronic image pickup device is obtained. Charge, the first (4n + 1) rows (n 0
Or a positive integer) or the photoelectric conversion elements in the (4n + 2) th row are read as the first field signal, and after the reading of the first field signal is completed,
The photoelectric conversion elements in the 3) th row or the (4n + 4) th row are read as the second field signal to obtain a video signal for one screen composed of the first field signal and the second field signal, and When the first time elapses from the reference time point in response to a recording command given to the first control means and the recording command means for controlling the driving means so as to repeat the reading and reading at a constant cycle. It is given to the second control means and the recording command means for controlling to start the photographing for recording and start the erasing process of the false signal by the false signal erasing means when the second time has elapsed. In response to the recording command, the signal represented by the signal charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element in the (4n + 1) th row when the third time has elapsed is used as the first field signal. After the output is started and the reading of the first field signal is completed, the signal represented by the signal charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element of the (4n + 2) th row is started as the second field signal and the reading is completed. After that, the signal represented by the signal charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element of the (4n + 3) th row is started to be read as the third field signal, and after the reading of the third field signal is completed, the photoelectric conversion element of the (4n + 4) th row is read. A third control means for controlling the driving means so that the reading is started by using the signal represented by the accumulated signal charge as the fourth field signal, and the first to fourth field signals read out. It is characterized by comprising recording means for recording a video signal for a screen on a recording medium.

The present invention also provides a method of controlling the electronic still camera.

The driving means reads the signal charges accumulated in the photoelectric conversion elements at every other column in each row when, for example, a video signal for one screen composed of the first field signal and the second field signal is obtained. A read clock signal is given to the solid-state electronic image pickup device so that
When a video signal for one screen composed of the first field signal to the fourth field signal is obtained, a high-speed read clock signal is read so as to read out the signal charges accumulated in the photoelectric conversion elements of all columns in each row. The present invention is applied to the solid-state electronic image pickup device.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when recording on the recording medium, a video signal for one screen, which constitutes one screen by the first field signal to the fourth field signal, is recorded on the recording medium. Therefore, a high resolution video signal can be recorded on the recording medium.

The false signal erasing process is a concept including a smear charge sweeping process.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention and shows the construction of an image pickup system.

The image pickup system comprises an electronic camera (electronic still camera) 10 for photographing an object OB and generating image data representing the object image, and a host computer 30 connected to the electronic camera 10 via a communication path. There is.

A monitor display device 25 for displaying a subject image is connected to the electronic camera 10. Monitor display
25 may be a viewfinder integrated with the electronic camera 10.

A display device 40 is connected to the host computer 30, and a subject image photographed by using the electronic camera 10 and camera control parameters, capture commands, etc., which will be described later, are displayed on the display device 40. .. A keyboard 36 and a mouse 37 as input devices, and an optical disk device 38 for recording image data are connected to the host computer 30.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the image pickup system shown in FIG.

The photographing operation of the electronic camera 10, the processing of image data, the transmission processing, etc. are controlled by the CPU 17 which operates based on the command transmitted from the host computer 30. The electronic camera 10 includes a communication interface 22 for receiving commands transmitted from the host computer 30 and transmitting image data to the host computer 30.

The electronic camera 10 is provided with a shutter 8, a diaphragm for forming a subject image, an image pickup optical system 11 including a zoom lens mechanism, a video image which is arranged at the subject image forming position and represents the photographed subject image. CCD12, CCD12 that outputs signals
Video signal output from the, color separation, white balance adjustment,
A process circuit 13 for obtaining RGB signals by performing black balance adjustment and the like is included. Control of shutter 8, imaging optical system 11
The control of the aperture and the adjustment of the zoom amount and the adjustment of the white balance and the black balance in the process circuit 13 are performed based on the control signal output from the camera control register 16.

The electronic camera 10 further includes a process circuit 13
Analog / digital (A / D) conversion circuits 14 and A for converting the RGB signals output from the digital image data into digital image data.
An image memory 15 for storing the digital image data converted in the / D conversion circuit 14, a thinning circuit 21 for thinning out one pixel of image data at an appropriate ratio for reducing the image, and a main memory 20 are included. .. A transfer buffer 20A for temporarily storing image data to be transmitted to the host computer 30 in the main memory 20, and a camera for storing camera control parameters for zoom amount adjustment, shutter control, white balance and black balance adjustment. A control parameter storage unit 20B is provided. The image memory 15 has a capacity capable of storing at least one frame of image data.

Further, the electronic camera 10 includes a digital / analog (D / A) conversion circuit 23 for converting digital image data into an analog video signal in order to display the photographed subject image on the monitor display device 25.

The host computer 30 includes a CPU 31, and the CPU 31 allows the host computer 30 to operate.
Is supervised. The CPU 31 creates various data, commands, etc., which will be described later, based on input signals given to the CPU 31 from the keyboard 36 and the mouse 37 connected to the host computer 30.

Further, the host computer 30 includes a communication interface 33. The communication interface 33 is used for transmitting data and commands created by the CPU 31 to the electronic camera 10 and receiving image data transmitted from the electronic camera 10. Through 33.

The host computer 30 further includes a main memory 32 and a display memory 34. The main memory 32 includes a transfer buffer 32A for storing image data transmitted from the electronic camera 10 and a keyboard 36 or mouse 37.
A camera control parameter storage unit 32B for storing the camera control parameters such as the exposure amount, the black balance and the white balance set on the screen of the display device 40 is included.
The display memory 34 stores data representing images, characters and symbols displayed on the display device 40.

An optical disk device 38 is connected to the host computer 30, and image data is recorded on the optical disk in the optical disk device 38.

Host computer 30 as indicated by the dashed line
A monitor display device 25A is attached to this monitor display device.
The 25A and the electronic camera 10 may be directly connected to each other so that the subject image photographed by the electronic camera 10 is displayed on the monitor display device 25A so that it can be viewed while operating the host computer 30.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the detailed electrical construction of the electronic camera, FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the CCD, and FIG. 5 is a time chart when the electronic camera takes an image. 3 to 5 will be described later.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure of image pickup, transmission, display, recording, etc. in this image pickup system. FIG. 6 shows the processing procedure in the host computer 30, and FIG. 7 shows the processing procedure in the electronic camera. Are shown respectively. FIG. 8 shows various areas set on the screen of the display device 40. FIG. 9 shows a display example of a part of various areas set on the screen of the display device 40, and mainly shows a display example of the setup area. 10 to 24 show examples of screens displayed on the display device 40.

When the host computer 30 is powered on, an initial screen is displayed on the display device 40 (FIG. 6 step).
61).

As shown in FIG. 8, the screen of the display device 40 includes a menu display area 106, a setup area 100, a capture command input area 102, and a preview image display area.
101, a camera control parameter display area 104, a parameter setting area 105, and a main image display area 103 are displayed as necessary. Although not shown in FIG. 8, a histogram window for displaying the pixel level histogram of the preview image on the preview image display area 101 is displayed on the screen of the display device 40 as described later. Is displayed. A menu display area 106, a setup area 100, a capture command input area 102, a preview image display area 101, and a camera control parameter display area 104 are displayed on the initial screen.

In the menu display area 106, "File",
Menus such as "Edit" and "Setup" are displayed. The "file" is clicked using the mouse 37 when performing the process of transferring the data recorded on the optical disk to the main memory 32, the process of transferring the data stored in the main memory 32 to the optical disk, and the like. "Edit" is clicked by using the mouse 37 when reading the data recorded on the optical disk and displaying the image represented by the data in a specific area. "Setup" is clicked when setting camera control parameters.

The camera control data setup process (step 62 in FIG. 6) started by clicking "setup" will be described below with reference to FIGS. 9 to 20. The camera control parameters are set up while the host computer 30 and the electronic camera 10 communicate with each other.

The setup items are roughly classified into select and adjust as shown in FIG. The select includes items of input, flash, exposure, positive / negative, and LUT (look-up table).
The adjustment includes exposure, black balance and white balance. When "Setup" is clicked, these items are displayed in the setup area.

"Input" is clicked when selecting the source, mode, etc. of the input image data. When "Input" is clicked, items representing the above-mentioned generation source, mode, etc. are displayed. In FIG. 9, a “camera” (meaning the electronic camera 10) is shown as an example of a source of image data. When capturing image data from the electronic camera 10, this "camera" is clicked.

"Flash" is for setting whether or not to emit a flash. When "Flash" is clicked, "On" and "Off" are displayed, and the mouse 37
Either can be selected using.

Regarding the adjustment of the exposure amount, an automatic (AE) function for automatically adjusting the exposure in the electronic camera 10, a remote function for the operator to set the exposure in the host computer 30, and an exposure for the operator in the electronic camera 10 There are three types of manual functions to set. "Exposure" is clicked when selecting any of the above three types of functions. When "Exposure" of the selection is clicked,
“AE”, “remote”, and “manual” are displayed, and the operator can select any one of these functions using the mouse 37.

"Positive / negative" is used to set whether to perform positive photography (normal photography) or negative photography (white and black levels are reversed, which is suitable for negative film photography). Then, when "Positive / Negative" is clicked, "Positive" and "Negative" are displayed, and either one can be selected.

"LUT" is for setting gradation characteristics. Adjustable gradation characteristics include "default" and "L"
There are "UT1" to "LUT5". “Default” is the most general gradation characteristic that is set in advance, and “LU”
"T1" to "LUT5" represent the types of gradation characteristics that can be arbitrarily set by the user of this imaging system. "LU
When "T" is clicked, "Default" and "LU"
"T1" to "LUT5" are displayed and any one is selected.

The adjust "exposure" is clicked in the "remote" mode, that is, when setting the exposure amount in the host computer 30. When "exposure" is clicked, the contents suitable for the exposure amount setting are displayed in the parameter setting area 105 of the display screen of the display device 40, and the exposure setting can be made in the host computer 30.

"Black balance" is for adjusting the black balance. When “black balance” is clicked, a screen suitable for black balance adjustment is displayed in the parameter setting area 105 of the display screen of the display device 40, and black balance adjustment is possible.

The "white balance" is for adjusting the white balance. The parameter setting area 105 on the display screen of the display device 40 is clicked by clicking “white balance”.
A screen suitable for white balance adjustment is displayed on the white balance adjustment screen.

In FIG. 10, among the selections of the setup items described above, the "camera" for "input" is
"OFF" for "flash", "positive" for "positive / negative", and "LUT1" for "LUT" are displayed. Parameter display area 104
Displayed in. The five items of “select” may be set in any order, but here, “exposure” is set last.

To select one of the "AE", "remote" or "manual" mode for adjusting the exposure amount, click the "Exposure" in the select area displayed in the setup area 100. ","remote"
And "Manual" are displayed. Either mode is selected using the mouse 37.

For example, if "remote" is clicked, "remote" is displayed in "exposure" in the camera control parameter display area 104 as shown in FIG.

As described above, "remote" is a mode in which the operator adjusts the exposure amount in the host computer 30, so the operator clicks "exposure" in "adjust" as shown in FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 13, the parameter setting area 105 of the display screen of the display device 40 is displayed.
A screen suitable for adjusting the exposure is displayed on the screen.

The exposure amount is adjusted by the aperture value and the shutter speed in this embodiment.

In the parameter setting area 105 shown in FIG. 13, the range of aperture values (open aperture value: open F and fully closed aperture value: closed F) and the current aperture value (current value F) are displayed. The current value F is the current aperture value of the aperture in the electronic camera 10, and the one transmitted from the electronic camera 10 to the host computer 30 is displayed.

The operator can set a desired aperture value by changing the length of the scroll bar 105A using the mouse 37. The aperture value represented by the length of the scroll bar 105A is displayed numerically as the current value. When the operator clicks the display of "OK", the aperture value represented by the length of the scroll bar 105A at that time is set. The set aperture value is displayed in the camera control parameter display area 104 as shown in FIG. The setup data about the set aperture value is transmitted to the electronic camera 10, stored in the camera control parameter storage area 20B, and the aperture is adjusted so as to reach the set aperture value (steps 81 and 82 in FIG. 7).

The parameter setting area 105 also has a display of "cancel", and by clicking this, the set aperture value can be canceled.

Next, the black balance adjustment will be described.

When "black balance" displayed in the setup area 100 as shown in FIG. 15 is clicked, contents suitable for black balance adjustment are displayed in the parameter setting area 105 as shown in FIG.

As for "exposure", it was possible to select any of "AE", "remote" and "manual" in the "select" item as described above, but for "black balance" the "select" item was selected. Not included in. Therefore, “auto” is included in the parameter setting area 105 so that automatic adjustment can be selected for black balance adjustment. When the operator clicks "Auto",
The fact is transmitted from the host computer 30 to the electronic camera 10, and the black balance is automatically adjusted in the electronic camera 10 (steps 81 and 82 in FIG. 7).

Black balance adjustment is performed for red and blue. Similarly to the setting of the aperture value, the black balance is adjusted by operating the mouse 37 and adjusting the lengths of the scroll bars 105R and 105B to desired values. The set values for red and blue represented by the lengths of the scroll bars 105R and 105B are displayed as numbers.

When the display of "OK" is clicked, these set values are transmitted to the electronic camera 10. Electronic camera 10
The black balance setting value is received at and the black balance adjustment is performed according to this setting value (step 8 in FIG. 7).
1, 82). “Cancel” is also displayed in the parameter setting area 105.

The black balance set value is displayed in the camera control parameter display area 104 as shown in FIG. White balance adjustment is performed in the same manner as black balance adjustment.

When "white balance" displayed in the setup area 100 is clicked as shown in FIG. 18, contents suitable for white balance adjustment are displayed in the parameter setting area 105 as shown in FIG.

As for the white balance adjustment, the parameter setting area 105 includes a display of "auto" so that the automatic adjustment can be selected similarly to the black balance adjustment. When the operator clicks "Auto", the fact is transmitted from the host computer 30 to the electronic camera 10, and the black balance is automatically adjusted in the electronic camera 10 (steps 81 and 82 in FIG. 7).

White balance adjustment is also performed for red and blue. The white balance adjustment is also performed by operating the mouse 37 so that the lengths of the scroll bars 105R and 105B become desired values. Scroll bar 105 R, 105 B
The set values for red and blue, which are represented by the length of, are displayed as numbers.

When the display of "OK" is clicked, these set values are transmitted to the electronic camera 10. Electronic camera 10
When the white balance setting value is received at, the white balance adjustment is performed according to this setting value (steps 81 and 82 in FIG. 7).

All the camera control data set in the setup mode in this way are displayed in the camera control data display area 104 as shown in FIG. 20, and the camera control parameters in the main memory 30 of the host computer 30 are displayed. Storage unit 32B and main memory of electronic camera 10
It is stored in the camera control parameter storage unit 20B of 20. In the electronic camera 10, the camera control parameter storage unit 20B
Adjustments are made based on the camera control data stored in.

Further, the lens position, zoom magnification, etc. for focusing are also stored in the camera control parameter storage unit 32B.
It may be stored in.

Next, the capture command input area 102
Will be described.

As shown in FIG. 21, in the capture command input area 102, "input", "frame", "shot", "get", "window", "file", "X", "Y", "W", "H", "remaining capacity",
The “data amount” and the “magnification” are displayed, and the preview image display area 101 displays the subject image captured by the electronic camera 10.

“Input” and “frame” are for selecting where to obtain a video signal representing an image to be displayed on the monitor display device 25. In the "input" mode, the video signal obtained from the CCD 12 is directly supplied to the monitor display device 25 via the process circuit 13 without passing through the image memory 15. The CCD 12 can selectively switch between normal NTSC drive (640 x 480 pixels) and high-definition drive (1280 x 960 pixels). Since the monitor display device 25 operates at the NTSC rate, in the "input" mode the CCD 12 is N
It is driven by TSC. On the other hand, in the “frame” mode, the image data stored in the image memory 15 is D / A
It is supplied to the monitor display device 25 via the conversion circuit 23 to display the image represented by the image data.
A switching circuit controlled by the CPU 17 in order to switch between the through video signal output from the process circuit 13 (“input” mode) and the video signal output from the D / A conversion circuit 23 (“frame” mode) 26 are provided.

In FIG. 21, a black circle is added to the "frame" to indicate that the "frame" mode is set. The processing of steps 83 to 90 shown in FIG. 7 also shows the operation in the "frame" mode.

The "shot" is a command for causing the electronic camera 10 to photograph a subject and thinning out the image data obtained by this photographing and transmitting the thinned image data to the host computer. The image data obtained by being photographed by the electronic camera 10 in response to the click of "shot" is temporarily stored in the image memory 15, reduced to ⅛ as described later, and transmitted to the host computer 30, It is displayed as a preview image in the preview image display area 101.
The subject image is taken by driving the CCD 12 with high-definition. When the "shot" command is given, the "frame" mode is automatically set, and the monitor display device 25 displays the image represented by the image data stored in the image memory 15.

When "shot" is clicked, a histogram window 107 for displaying the pixel level histogram of the preview image is displayed on the screen of the display device 40. Since the color level distribution of the preview image is displayed in the histogram window 107, it can be used to set the optimum shooting conditions.

“Get” is an instruction to finally take in the image data obtained by photographing with the electronic camera 10 to the host computer 30, and “frame”.
Meaningful in mode. Generally, as will be described later, the “shot” is clicked to display it in the preview image display area 101, the area and magnification (resolution) are designated, and then “get” is clicked.

"Window" and "file" specify the destination of the image data to be captured by the "get" command. When "Window" is clicked,
The image data transmitted from the electronic camera 10 is stored in the transfer buffer 32A of the main memory 32, and the image represented by the image data is displayed in the main image display area 103 of the display device 40. When "File" is clicked,
The image data transmitted from the electronic camera 10 is stored in the transfer buffer 32A of the main memory 32, and then processed by the optical disc device 38 while being processed as needed.

"X", "Y", "W" and "H" are for designating an image area to be captured by the "get" command on the preview image. As shown in FIG. 22, "X" and "Y" represent the X and Y coordinates of a corner point of the designated area, "W" represents the width of the designated area, and "H".
Indicates the height of each designated area. A desired area can be designated by inputting the values of "X", "Y", "W" and "H" by operating the mouse 37.

The magnification is for selecting the resolution of the image to be captured by the "get" command. In this embodiment, any one of 1 times, 0.5 times, 0.25 times and 0.125 times is selected by the mouse 37. be able to. Imaging optical system 11
If the magnification ratio of the zoom mechanism included in the above can be set in the host computer 30, the photographing magnification can be set to a value exceeding 1. In this embodiment, a value larger than 1 is set as the magnification only when the operator manually operates the zoom mechanism of the electronic camera 10 to enlarge it.

The "remaining capacity" indicates the remaining capacity of the transfer buffer 32A of the main memory 32 of the host computer 30.

The "data amount" indicates the amount of image data transmitted from the electronic camera 10 in response to the "get" command.

Referring again to FIGS. 6 and 7, the host
In response to the input of various commands from the capture command input area 102 of the computer 30, the electronic camera 10 captures an image of a subject, the image data obtained by the image capture is transmitted to the host computer 30, and the display device 40 displays the image data. The display processing will be described in a unified manner.

The above-mentioned setup process (step in FIG. 6)
When step 62) ends, the host computer 30 waits for a "shot" to be clicked (step 63) or specifies the area,
The system waits for designation of the magnification and the capture destination of the captured image data (step 68).

When "shot" is clicked (step 63), the CPU 31 creates a shot command (step 64). The created shot command is transmitted to the electronic camera 10.

Then, a preview command is created (step 65 in FIG. 6). This preview command
This is a command to reduce the image data obtained by image pickup (uniformly ⅛ in this embodiment) and then send the command, which is sent to the electronic camera 10.

When the electronic camera 10 receives the shot command (step 83 in FIG. 7), the object OB is photographed and necessary image data processing is performed under the conditions of the camera control parameters that have already been set.

Image data obtained by image pickup and processing is stored in the image memory 15 (step 84 in FIG. 7).

Subsequently, when the electronic camera 10 receives a preview command (step 85 in FIG. 7), if the input mode is set, the frame mode is set and the image data stored in the image memory 15 is read. Circuit
Given to 21. In the thinning circuit 21, 160 in the horizontal direction
The image data is thinned evenly to 1/8 so that the image data is 120 pixels in the vertical direction. The thinned image data is given from the thinning circuit 21 to the transfer buffer 20A and temporarily stored (step 86 in FIG. 7). The image data temporarily stored in the transfer buffer 20A is stored in the host computer 30.
Sent to.

When the host computer 30 receives the image data reduced to ⅛ transmitted from the electronic camera 10, the preview image data is transferred to the transfer buffer.
It is temporarily stored in 32A (step 66 in FIG. 6). The image data stored in the transfer buffer 32A is the transfer buffer 32A.
Is read out from the memory and given to the display memory 34, and the preview image represented by this image data is displayed in the preview image display area 101 (step 67 in FIG. 6). An example of the preview image displayed in the preview image display area 101 is shown in FIG.

By looking at this preview image, the operator can confirm whether or not an image of desired angle, size, image quality, etc. is obtained. If necessary, the camera control parameters may be reset (step 62 in FIG. 6).

In order to see in the host computer 30 whether desired image data has been obtained, an electronic camera is used.
It is necessary to transfer the captured image data from 10 to the host computer 30. Image data for one frame is 12 as described above.
Since the amount of data is 80 x 960 pixels (1228 per pixel is 1228 Kbytes, 3 times that for color), it takes a long time to transmit data. As described above, since the preview image data is reduced to ⅛ and transmitted from the electronic camera 10 to the host computer 30, the transmission time can be shortened.

When the operator looks at the preview image and confirms that a good image is obtained, it is necessary to finally take in the captured image data. One piece (1280 x 960)
Although it may be possible to capture the image data of, it is often the case that only a part is required. Therefore, the operator designates the area of the image to be captured, the magnification and the capture destination on the preview image as shown in FIG. 22 (YES in step 68 in FIG. 6). Then, the operator clicks “Get” (step 69 in FIG. 6).
Then YES). Then, a get command including the designated area and magnification is created and transmitted to the electronic camera 10 (step 70 in FIG. 3).

As described above, when an enlarged image is desired, the operator can manually operate the zoom mechanism of the electronic camera 10 to set a desired magnification. In this case, the operator clicks "shot" again to repeat shooting and previewing of the subject.

When the electronic camera 10 receives the get command (step 88 in FIG. 7), the image data of the designated area is read from the image memory 15.

When the magnification is less than 1, the image memory 15
The image data read from is supplied to the thinning circuit 21, and thinning is performed according to the set magnification. The image data is temporarily stored in the transfer buffer 20A (step 89 in FIG. 7) and then transmitted to the host computer 30 (step 90 in FIG. 7).

As described above, since only the image data of the truly necessary area is transmitted from the electronic camera 10, the transmission time of the image data can be shortened.

The image data transmitted from the electronic camera 10 is received by the host computer 30 (step 71 in FIG. 6). When the image data is received, the image data is transferred to the previously specified capture destination. That is, when the import destination is the “window” (main memory), the received image data is transferred to the transfer buffer 32 of the main memory 32.
While being stored in A, the image represented by the image data is displayed in the main image display area 103 of the display device 40 as shown in FIG. 20 (step 73 in FIG. 6). When the import destination is "file", the received image data is temporarily stored in the main memory 32, then processed as required, transferred to the optical disk device 38, and recorded on the optical disk (step 75 in FIG. 6). ). At this time, the main image display area 103
The image is not displayed in (see FIG. 24), but it may be displayed.

The operator may click the “file” after viewing the subject image displayed in the main image display area 103 with the import destination set to the “window”. In response to this, the image data stored in the main memory 32 is recorded on the optical disc (YES in step 74 of FIG. 6, step 7
Five). Of course, you may start over from the "shot" command again without clicking "File".

In the capture command input area 102, the remaining capacity of the main memory 32 and the amount of transmitted image data are displayed. Can be entered. When the remaining capacity of the main memory 32 is smaller than the amount of image data transmitted from the electronic camera 10, it is preferable to prohibit the input of the “get” command.

With reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, a process for recording image data representing a subject will be described.

Referring to FIG. 3, the electronic camera 10 can be divided into a camera head section 49 and a camera control section 59. By dividing the electronic camera 10 in this way, the electronic camera 10 of the camera / head separated type is obtained.

The camera control section 49 includes a timing pulse generator 44 for generating a horizontal (H) drive pulse and a vertical (V) drive pulse at a predetermined timing in order to read signal charges from the CCD 12. Camera control unit 49
Also includes a PLL circuit 43, and the timing pulse generator 49 operates based on the horizontal blanking signal (HD) and the vertical blanking signal (VD) supplied from the PLL circuit 43. The flash 48 is also controlled by the timing pulse generator 44.

An H driver 45 and a V driver 46 are included in the camera head section 49 for reading signal charges from the CCD 12. The H driver 45 inputs the H drive pulse and outputs the horizontal transfer pulse φH, and the V driver 46 outputs V
The drive pulse is input and the vertical transfer pulse φV is output. In addition, the preamplifier 41
And a driver 42, which amplifies the signal output from the CCD 12.

Further, the camera head 49 has a power supply circuit 47.
Are included, and the operating voltage is supplied to each circuit.

The camera control section 59 includes a timing control section 55 for controlling the recording timing and a timing pulse generator 56 for giving signals such as a horizontal blanking signal and a vertical blanking signal to the PLL circuit 43.

The timing controller 55 outputs a trigger signal TRG, a mode change signal MC, and field index signals FI and 2FI, which serve as a reference for recording timing, and are supplied to the timing pulse generator 44.

The mode change signal MC is a signal for switching between formation of one screen by two field signals and formation of one screen by four field signals as described later.

The field index signal FI is 2
This is a signal used for identifying a field signal when one screen is composed of two field signals.

The field index signal 2FI is
This is a signal used to identify the top field signal when one screen is composed of four field signals.

However, the field index signal F
Since I and 2FI can be created from the vertical retrace signal VD, they need not be created by the timing control unit 55.

The camera control unit 59 also includes a process processing circuit 13, an A / D conversion circuit 14, a memory control and memory unit 5.
3, a D / A conversion circuit 23, and a power supply circuit 57 are included. The process processing circuit 13 includes a color balance circuit 51 and a gamma processing circuit 52, and performs the white balance and color balance processing and the gamma correction processing described above.

The camera controller 59 is provided with a recording switch 58. The recording switch 58 is turned on when the image data of the subject is recorded on the optical disc. This is accomplished by the keyboard 36 and mouse 37 in FIG. 2, which is turned on by clicking on "shot".

In FIG. 3, the PLL circuit 43, the timing pulse generation circuit 44, the timing control unit 55, and the timing pulse generation circuit 56 are configured by the CPU 17 in FIG. 2, and the memory control and memory unit 53 is the CPU 17 and the image memory 15. Composed by.

The preamplifier circuit 41, driver 42, H driver 45, V driver 46, and power supply circuit 47 shown in FIG. 3 are not shown in FIG. Further, the camera control register 16, the main memory 20, the thinning circuit 21, and the communication interface 22 shown in FIG. 2 are omitted in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, the CCD 12 has a large number of photodiodes 5 arranged in the row and column directions.
The CCD 12 includes a vertical transfer path 6 which is arranged adjacent to the photodiodes 5 in the column direction and which vertically transfers the signal charges accumulated in the photodiodes 5, and a horizontal transfer path 7 which horizontally transfers the signal charges. Has been.

In this electronic camera 10, the method of reading the signal charge accumulated in the photodiode 5 of the CCD 12 is different between recording and non-recording.

At the time of non-recording, the field signal represented by the signal charges accumulated in the photodiode 5 of the (4n + 1) th row (n is an integer of 0 or more) is the first field signal and the photodiode of the (4n + 3) th row. The field signal represented by the signal charges accumulated in 5 is used as the second field signal, and the first field signal and the second field signal form one screen.

At the time of recording, the field signal represented by the signal charges accumulated in the photodiode 5 of the (4n + 1) th row is the first field signal, (4n + 2).
The field signal represented by the signal charges accumulated in the photodiodes 5 in the row is the second field signal, (4
The field signal represented by the signal charge accumulated in the photodiode 5 of the (n + 3) th row is the third field signal, and the field signal represented by the signal charge accumulated in the photodiode 5 of the (4n + 4) th row is the fourth field signal. One screen is composed of the first field signal and the fourth field signal.

The timing generator 44 operates so that the output timings of the horizontal transfer pulse φH and the vertical transfer pulse φV also change depending on the recording and non-recording. During recording, a horizontal transfer pulse φH twice as large as that during non-recording is output.

In the electronic camera 10, the smear charge is swept out and the dark current level is adjusted for each field. The time from the rise of the vertical retrace signal VD to the flash emission after the shooting command, the time from the rise of the vertical retrace signal VD to the sweep of the smear charge, and the time from the rise of the vertical retrace signal VD to the readout of the signal charge. Keyboard 36
And predetermined using mouse 27. The reading time of the signal charges is determined so that the reading time of each field signal is an integral multiple of 4V (1V is one vertical blanking period) so that the accumulated amount of the signal charges due to the dark current does not vary from field to field. Flash emission from the shooting command, sweeping of smear charge from the shooting command, and reading of signal charge from the shooting command are performed at predetermined times.

Until the recording switch 53 is pressed or "shot" is clicked, the shutter 8 is open, and the photographing and the reading of the signal charges are repeated every double vertical blanking period. At this time, one screen is composed of the first field signal and the second field signal and is displayed on the monitor display device 25.

When the record switch 53 is pressed or "shot" is clicked as described above, the timing control unit 55 outputs the trigger signal TRG in synchronization with the first vertical retrace signal VD thereafter. When the trigger signal TRG is output, the mode change is performed so that the first field signal to the fourth field signal form one screen.

When the trigger signal TRG is generated, CC is generated after a predetermined fixed period after the trigger signal TRG is generated.
After the unnecessary charges have been swept from D12, the flash 48 emits light for exposure. After exposure, the shutter 8 is fully closed and the smear charges are swept out. When the sweeping out of the smear charges is completed, the signal charges are read out and the image data is written in the memory section 53 by applying 4V.

When the recording of the image data is completed, the trigger signal TRG falls, the shutter 8 is opened again, and the first field signal and the second field signal form one screen.

After the rise of the trigger signal TRG, flash light emission, exposure, sweeping of smear charges, reading of signal charges, and recording are controlled in a predetermined period. Therefore, the number of control lines can be reduced as compared with the conventional case where strobe light emission, exposure, smear charge sweeping, signal charge reading and recording are performed independently.

Further, at the time of recording, since the signal charges of high pixels are read over 4 fields, it becomes possible to perform recording with high accuracy.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of an imaging system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an imaging system.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an electronic camera.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a CCD.

FIG. 5 is a time chart of photographing a subject.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in a host computer.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in the electronic camera.

FIG. 8 shows a plurality of display areas displayed on a display device.

FIG. 9 shows the contents displayed in a partial area of the display device.

FIG. 10 shows a display example on the display device.

FIG. 11 shows a display example on the display device.

FIG. 12 shows a display example on the display device.

FIG. 13 shows a display example on the display device.

FIG. 14 shows a display example on the display device.

FIG. 15 shows a display example on the display device.

FIG. 16 shows a display example on the display device.

FIG. 17 shows a display example on the display device.

FIG. 18 shows a display example on the display device.

FIG. 19 shows a display example on the display device.

FIG. 20 shows a display example on the display device.

FIG. 21 shows a display example on the display device.

FIG. 22 shows a display example on the display device.

FIG. 23 shows a display example on the display device.

FIG. 24 shows a display example on the display device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Electronic camera 11 Imaging optical system 12 CCD 13 Process circuit 14 A / D conversion circuit 15 Image memory 17, 31 CPU 20, 32 Main memory 21 Thinning circuit 22, 33 Communication interface 30 Host computer 36 Keyboard 37 Mouse 40 Display device 44, 56 Timing pulse generator 55 Timing controller

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A first time from a predetermined reference time point after a shooting command to the start of exposure, a second time from the reference time point to the start of erasing processing of a false signal generated in the solid-state electronic imaging device, and the reference time point From the reference time point to the first time from the reference time in response to the photographing command by setting a third time in advance until the reading start of the signal charge accumulated in the solid-state electronic imaging device by photographing. When the time elapses, exposure is started, when the second time elapses, the false signal erasing process is started, and when the third time elapses, the signal charge reading process is started. A method for controlling an electronic still camera, wherein a video signal representing a subject image obtained by a signal charge reading process is recorded on a recording medium. 2. A solid-state electronic image pickup device in which a large number of photoelectric conversion elements are arranged in a row direction and a column direction is used, and a first time from a predetermined reference time point after a recording command to the start of photographing for recording, the reference A second time from the point of time to the start of erasing processing of a false signal generated in the solid-state electronic image pickup device, and a third time from the reference time point to the start of reading out the signal charge accumulated in the solid-state electronic image pickup device by photographing for recording. Is determined in advance, and the signal charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element obtained by photographing an object using the solid-state electronic image pickup device is determined by the (4n + 1) th row (n is 0 or a positive integer) or The photoelectric conversion elements in the (4n + 2) th row are read as the first field signal, and after the reading of the first field signal is completed, the (4n + 2) th row is read.
The photoelectric conversion elements in the 3) th row or the (4n + 4) th row are read as the second field signal to obtain the first
A video signal for one screen composed of a field signal and a second field signal is obtained, and photographing and reading are repeated at a constant cycle, and when a recording command is given, in response to this, from the reference time point described above, Shooting for recording is started when the first time elapses, false signal erasing processing is started when the second time elapses, and when the third time elapses, The signal charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element in the 4n + 1) th row is started to be read as the first field signal, and after the reading of the first field signal is completed, the signal charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element in the (4n + 2) th row is changed to the first field signal. The reading starts as a 2 field signal, and after the reading of the 2nd field signal ends, the signal charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element of the (4n + 3) th row is read as a 3rd field signal and opened. And, after reading the end of the third field signal the (4n +
4) The signal charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element of the row is
A method for controlling an electronic still camera, which starts reading as a field signal, and records a video signal for one screen constituted by the read first field signal to fourth field signal on a recording medium. 3. When obtaining a video signal for one screen composed of a first field signal and a second field signal, reading is performed so as to read out the signal charges accumulated in the photoelectric conversion elements at every other column in each row. When a clock signal is applied to the solid-state electronic image pickup device to obtain a video signal for one screen composed of the first field signal to the fourth field signal, signal charges accumulated in the photoelectric conversion elements of all columns in each row are obtained. The method of controlling an electronic still camera according to claim 2, wherein a high-speed read clock signal is read out to read the solid-state electronic image pickup device. 4. A solid-state electronic image pickup device for picking up an image of a subject, a first time from a predetermined reference time point after a shooting instruction to the start of exposure, and a process of erasing a false signal generated in the solid-state electronic image pickup device from the reference time point. Up to a second time, and a third time period from the reference time point to the start of reading the signal charge accumulated in the solid-state electronic image pickup device by photographing, and a false signal erasing process is performed. False signal erasing means, driving means for driving the solid-state electronic image pickup device, shooting command means for giving a shooting command, and the first time from the reference time point in response to the shooting command given to the shooting command means. Then, the exposure of the solid-state electronic image pickup device is started, and when the second time elapses, the process of erasing the false signal by the false signal erasing means is started. A control unit for controlling the signal charge reading process to be started by using the driving unit when the third time has elapsed, and a video signal representing a subject image obtained by the signal charge reading process on the recording medium. An electronic still camera equipped with recording means for recording. 5. A solid-state electronic imaging device in which a large number of photoelectric conversion elements are arranged in rows and columns, a first time from a predetermined reference time point after a recording command to the start of photographing for recording, from the reference time point. Second time until the start of erasing processing of the false signal generated in the solid-state electronic image pickup device, and third time from the reference time point until the start of reading out the signal charge accumulated in the solid-state electronic image pickup device by the photographing for recording. A predetermined time setting means, a false signal erasing means for erasing a false signal, a driving means for driving the solid-state electronic imaging device, a recording command means for giving a recording command, and a recording command for the recording command means. If not, the signal charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element obtained by photographing an object using the solid-state electronic image pickup device is stored in the (4n + 1) th row (n 0 or a positive integer) or the (4
The photoelectric conversion elements of the (n + 2) th row are read as the first field signal, and after the reading of the first field signal is completed, the photoelectric conversion elements of the (4n + 3) th row or the (4n + 4) th row are read as the second field signal. A first control means for controlling the driving means so as to obtain a video signal for one screen constituted by the first field signal and the second field signal by reading, and to repeat the photographing and the reading at a constant cycle. In response to the recording command given to the recording command means, photographing for recording is started when the first time has elapsed from the reference time point, and the false image is generated when the second time has elapsed. Second control means for controlling to start the process of erasing the false signal by the signal erasing means, in response to the recording command given to the recording command means, The when the serial third time has elapsed (4n + 1) signals representative of the signal charges accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element row first
Reading is started as a field signal, and after the reading of the first field signal is completed, the signal represented by the signal charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element in the (4n + 2) th row is started as the second field signal, and the second field signal is read. After the end of the reading, the signal represented by the signal charge stored in the photoelectric conversion element of the (4n + 3) th row is started as the third field signal, and after the reading of the third field signal is finished, the photoelectric conversion of the (4n + 4) th row is performed. A third means for controlling the driving means so that the signal represented by the signal charge accumulated in the conversion element is used as a fourth field signal to start reading.
2. An electronic still camera, comprising: a control means for recording the video signal for one screen composed of the read first field signal to the fourth field signal on a recording medium. 6. When the driving means obtains a video signal for one screen composed of the first field signal and the second field signal, the signal charges accumulated in the photoelectric conversion elements at every other column in each row are stored. When a read clock signal for reading is applied to the solid-state electronic image pickup device to obtain a video signal for one screen composed of the first field signal to the fourth field signal, the photoelectric conversion elements of all columns in each row are read. The electronic still camera according to claim 5, wherein a high-speed read clock signal is applied to the solid-state electronic image pickup device so as to read out the accumulated signal charge.